RPI Vs. Vassar

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — Rensselaer senior forward Sandy Turnbull broke a 1-1 tie with twelve minutes remaining and junior goalie Briana Earle saved a penalty shot in the final two minutes to lead the Engineers over the Vassar College field hockey team, 2-1, snapping a five game losing streak in a tightly contested Liberty League game Wednesday afternoon at Weinberg Field.

The Brewers fall to 2-7, 0-3 on the season and play the second of an eight game home stand in a non-league match against Morrisville State College on Saturday, October 2 at 1 p.m. The Engineers improve to 3-6 (1-2) and will next travel to Rowan University for a non-leauge meeting October 2 at 6 p.m.

RPI scored the game winning goal with 12:31 remaining in the game. Turnbull deflected a bouncing shot by sophomore midfielder Holly Dupuis from the right side of the circle into the open side of the net behind Vassar senior goalkeeper Rachel Horwitz. It was Turnbull’s team-leading fifth goal of the season..

Vassar got its last and best chance to tie the contest with just under two minutes remaining when junior midfielder Elizabeth Feltch was awarded a penalty shot after she was shoved from behind during a clear path assault on goal. Feltch ripped the ball high and towards the left side of the goal, but Earle made a diving hand save, the last and most important of her 11 saves in the game.

The Engineers started the scoring at 41:26 when senior forward Jessica Corrigan deflected a blast from the top of the circle from junior midfielder Erika Hawksley, which slide past Horwitz. The senior tender had a strong game overall, making nine saves.

The Brewers tied the game 1-1 at 49:50 in the second half when senior midfielder Jessica Lance carried the ball down field and hammered in an unassisted shot from the top of the circle for her first goal of the season.

The three second half goals all followed a hard fought and scoreless first half, with both sides nearly even in time of ball possession. Turnbull’s goal and Earle’s save proved the difference for the Engineers, despite being outshot 15-13 by the Brewers. Vassar held a 14-6 advantage in penalty corners, but could not convert on any.